IU Falls to Northwestern Behind Two Second-Half Goals, 2-1

Thursday, September 28

Bloomington, Ind.

8:00 PM

Indiana University

5-5-2, 1-2-1B1G

Northwestern

6-4-2, 3-1-1B1G

Northwestern

Indiana

IU Falls to Northwestern Behind Two Second-Half Goals, 2-1

9/28/2017 11:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Behind a pair of second half scores, Northwestern Women's Soccer defeated Indiana on Thursday night at Bill Armstrong Stadium, 2-1. The game moved Indiana to 5-5-2 on the season with a 1-2-1 Big Ten mark. Northwestern improved to 6-4-2 and 3-1-1 in the Big Ten.

"We need to keep fighting," said head coach Amy Berbary. "We had opportunities and we were not as relentless inside the 18-yard box as the other team today. In this very, very tough league, you have to be relentless. That's what we talked about in post-game – trying to expect more from each other."

The Hoosiers were unable to hold on to an early lead as junior Maya Piper put Indiana on the board just 41 seconds into the contest. After junior Justine Lynn crossed the ball in from the right, Piper took possession back from the Wildcats 15 yards out and drove the ball into the back of the net for her team-leading sixth goal of the year.

IU outshot Northwestern, 8-5, including a 3-2 advantage at the break. One of the best Hoosier opportunities to increase the lead in the opening half came off the foot of redshirt junior Mykayla Brown, who rocketed a ball towards goal in the 26^th minute, but it stayed just high of the crossbar.

Northwestern quickly equalized out of the lockerroom as Regan Steigleder's diving header snuck past IU goalkeeper Bethany Kopel in the 50^th minute. Brenna Lovera crossed the ball in to Steigleder, who dove in from the penalty spot.

Four minutes later, an IU corner kick looked dangerous as Lynn's shot was saved and popped back out into the box. However, Northwestern recovered in time to prevent another Hoosier attempt.

The Wildcats took the lead for good in the 70^th minute courtesy of Michele Chernesky, who picked up a cross from Marisa Viggiano and slotted it in.

"They pressed us a bit more in the second half and we didn't hold possession well," said Berbary. "We knew at halftime a 1-0 game was not the end, but I don't think we established a rhythm again."

Indiana pressed for the equalizer, with the best chance coming from sophomore Chandra Davidson in the 74^th minute. Davidson booted the ball in, but Northwestern goalkeeper Lauren Clem dove up to parry it out of the box.

IU returns to action on Sunday as the Hoosiers close out a three-game homestand by playing host to Illinois. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and it will mark the annual Think Pink game to raise awareness for breast cancer. Admission to all Indiana home games is free of charge.

"This team is resilient. They know how good we are but they're going to have to mentally turn this off. They can be disappointed tonight, but tomorrow we get back work because we have to figure out a way to come out of this weekend with some points."